Kukla's Korner Hockey

“He’s the ultimate pro,” Holmgren said. “He’s ready for every practice, every game. I think the younger players see that on a daily basis and have to be impressed.”

With Pronger’s years of experience, he knows how to pace himself. You rarely see him exert needless energy. As Flyers fans noticed in a recent game in Washington, Pronger also knows when to “go”. Late in the first period of the Flyers shootout victory, Pronger pursued the puck into the Washington zone and delivered a jarring check on Jeff Schultz.

“It’s understanding the game, understanding the flow of the game and when you need to do things,” Pronger said. “Going 100 miles an hour for a puck looks good, but if you have to wait for the play, there’s no point. It’s really about reading the play and knowing the defense is trying to do and you adjusting.”